Oklahoma County has more than 100,000 people over the age of 60. By 2025, persons over age 65 will account for 20% of the county’s population. In order to meet the needs of today’s seniors, as well as prepare for the next generation, Oklahoma County government are active in a number of programs.

Senior Summit

We are currently in the planning stages of the third Senior Summit to be held in 2008.

The 2nd Oklahoma County Senior Summit was held this past November, 2005. The goal of the event is to make Oklahoma County a “senior friendly community.” To that end, seniors were given an opportunity to discuss issues with elected officials representing county, state, and city offices, as well as community leaders and service providers from around the county.

Among the items identified for additional discussion and possible action were: MAPS III focusing on seniors; developing enhanced information outlets, including continued funding and expansion of the 2-1-1 call service state-wide; and improving funding for senior nutrition programs. Several legislative initiatives were also discussed which include:

• Seeking a Medicaid waiver for assisted living care.
• A change in tax law allowing a care recipient to be considered a dependent of the caregiver.
• A Good Samaritan law that would shield senior citizen transportation providers from unlimited liability.

The first Senior Summit held in 2003 resulted in several successes, most notably the effort to provide property tax relief to low and moderate income seniors through the passage of State Question 714. In addition to property tax relief, seniors desired a clearinghouse for information about services available to them. The 2005 Summit also featured the roll-out of HEARTLINE 2-1-1, a free; 24 hour non- emergency line providing a quick and easy way for people to access human services help by phone.

Senior Summit | Heartline 211

Oklahoma County citizens prepare for the presentation.

Propery Tax Relief

As noted, a major outcome of the 2003 Senior Summit was the passage of State Question 714 in a statewide November 2004 vote. The law provided a freeze on the assessment rate for seniors earning less than $52,500 annually. To date more than 8,500 Oklahoma County seniors have signed up for the freeze. For more information, or to sign up, please visit the Oklahoma County Assessor’s website. Assessor

Training and General Assistance

The Oklahoma County Training and General Assistance Department (TGA) operates under the direction of Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The department was established to carry out the statutory duties of the BOCC related to employment, training, social and senior services. TGA’s Senior Services web provides information about services available to county seniors. Training and General Assistance

Community Support Grants

Each Year Oklahoma County provides community support grants to agencies throughout Oklahoma County to assist service providers in their efforts to aid the needy in our community.

This year, in consideration of the budget constraints faced by so many agencies, the Oklahoma County Commissioners feel that it is more important than ever to make more service providers aware of these opportunities. Collectively these grants do not exceed $180,000; nevertheless, such grants have assisted many agencies in developing, implementing, improving and sustaining many innovative and needed projects.

An agency wishing to take advantage of these grants must meet the minimum requirements:

• The agency, and the services provided by such agency, must be located within Oklahoma County.
• The agency must have been in business for a minimum of two (2) years.
• The agency’s recent financial history must show stability.
• The agency’s services must be aimed at either the indigent population or the senior population.

The Board of County Commissioners strongly encourages any interested agencies to inquire promptly by contacting Blair Schoeb, Director, or Christi Jernigan, Social and Senior Services Coordinator, at 713-1893.